Koumbit is looking for a system administrator (sysadmin) with experience of Linux terminals, and motivated to work in a non-hierarchical, self-managing team. This position is ideal for people who want to work closely with customers while getting involved in Koumbit's collective tasks. Starting date would be autumn 2024, exact dates to be flexible.
What it's like to work at Koumbit?
Koumbit is a non-profit organisation based in Montreal that has been building websites and managing infrastructure for local and global clients since 2004.
We are:
- A non traditional workplace, operating in a non-hierarchical collective structure
- Committed to our founding principles of openness, equality and respect for workers' autonomy
- Specialized in free and open source software (FOSS)
What you'll do
- Work in a Linux-based (GNU-Linux) development environment using free and open-source software (FOSS)
- Receive and process customer requests related to web hosting and emails
- Investigate and debug problems on customer systems (mainly websites and emails)
- Install software and updates at customers' request
- Work with the team to maintain and update our software and hardware infrastructure
- Monitor and update our wide range of documentation
- Draw up quotations and carry out invoicing
- Actively participate in around 3 team meetings a month, internal projects and collective decision-making, voicing opinions and critically reflecting on the way our collective works.
Longer term:
- Be on call 24/7, for one week in rotation with other team members.
- Participate in data center interventions
What we're looking for
- Fluent in both written and spoken French, with English competency
- Self-directed, organized, proactive, and communicative
- Curiosity and motivation to learn and develop technical skills
- Strong problem-solving abilities, with a willingness to seek help and feedback from colleagues
- Versatile in handling various infra team responsibilities (bug fixing, technical support, site building, code analysis, client communication, hardware purchasing, etc.)
- Capable of providing training and support to clients with varying technical expertise
Collective implication
- Knowledge of, or interest in, democratic and non-hierarchical decision-making in work organization
- Share the values of Koumbit: self-management, openness, and solidarity. For more information, see https://www.koumbit.org/en/values
- Demonstrate openness, empathy, ability to listen, and active non-violent communication
- Be aware of power dynamics related to systems of oppression (racism, sexism, etc.) and their consequences in group relationships
- Self reflection and ability to question ones own practices
Technical Skills
- Technical support capabilities, analyzing and helping to resolve hardware, software and network problems
- Knowledge of GNU/Linux and the command line is required
- Familiarity with concepts such as HTTP, TLS, SMTP, IMAP ...
- Basic programming skills (especially bash shell scripting, Python, PHP and MySQL).
- Interest in learning about the technologies we use, in particular : Debian GNU/Linux, Puppet, Ganeti, PHP, Apache, MySQL, NFS, Postfix, Dovecot, Bash, AlternC, Git, OpenSSH, e-mail clients (eg. Thunderbird)
- We provide training for most tasks and skills required.
Assets
- Familiarity with Debian Linux systems
- Knowledge of some of the technologies we use, as mentioned above
- Knowledge of CMS such as Drupal or Wordpress
- Experience or interest in the non-profit and community sector
- Enthusiasm about taking on non-technical tasks that are crucial to the smooth running of the collective (e.g. billing, human resources management, administrative decision-making, housekeeping)
Benefits
- Participate in the decision-making process that guides the future of the collective and influences your day-to-day work.
- Work in a “hybrid” format. We are very open to telecommuting and have a downtown office with computers.
- Very flexible working hours - it's up to you!
- Increased vacation entitlement: 3 weeks from 1 year, 4 weeks from 2 years and 5 weeks from 4 years.
What's worth knowing
- This position starts at 25 hours per week, with the possibility of adjusting as needed. The hourly rate is $23.41.
- The majority of collective members are still working from home since the pandemic. As a member, you'll have a say in any changes to this policy.
- Koumbit offers workstations at its office in Montreal's Centre-Sud, but having your own laptop for meetings might be more practical. It would also be very useful to have one's own station for telecommuting.
- Unfortunately, our office is not currently wheelchair accessible. Our office is accessible at the front by 1 step, and at the back without steps. However, the bathroom is 11 steps away in the basement. A move is possible, and you will be involved in discussions.
This hiring process prioritizes applications from socially excluded and marginalized people in the technology field, particularly trans and non-binary people and women. Koumbit encourages applications from people with disabilities, racialized people, First Nations people, Métis and Inuit people, queer people and people who have been incarcerated. If you experience social discrimination and think we should take it into account, please let us know.
A cover letter is required; we will not consider applications without one. This letter should focus on your motivations for working at Koumbit.
If this position interests you, please send your CV and a cover letter by email to embauche@koumbit.org.
We thank everyone who takes the time to submit an application, but we'll only contact candidates selected for an interview.
